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AWB threatened with search warrant
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PM - Thursday, 2 March , 2006 18:14:36
Reporter: Brendan Trembath
MARK COLVIN: There's no medical evidence that memory loss can be catching but forgetfulness certainly seems to be infectious at the monopoly wheat exporter AWB.
The Iraq bribes inquiry today heard from another senior executive who's suffered a series of memory lapses.
Former AWB manager Andrew McConville can't remember an important meeting he had with a senior Australian diplomat in Washington six years ago.
Meanwhile, counsel assisting the Commissioner at the inquiry has threatened AWB with a possible search warrant.
Brendan Trembath has the story.
BRENDAN TREMBATH: Andrew McConville says he can't remember a meeting he and other AWB executives had with a top Australian diplomat in Washington in March 2000.
The diplomat was Australia's Trade Commissioner Alistair Nicholas.
He warned the AWB delegation that the United Nations was seriously concerned about allegations that the wheat exporter might have been breaking United Nations sanctions.
Another country, now known to be Canada, had told the UN there were suspicious payments in wheat contracts with Iraq. A UN investigation later revealed AWB had paid almost $300 million in kickbacks to the Iraqi regime.
But Andrew McConville's memory fails him. He's been closely questioned by counsel assisting the commission, John Agius, SC. But Mr McConville says unfortunately he has no recollection of the meeting. But he says that's not to say it didn't occur.
The Trade Commissioner Alistair Nicholas obviously has no doubt it did occur. He sent a secret cable to Canberra that week saying AWB assured him there were no irregularities in their dealings.
Another secret message specifically mentioned advice from Andrew McConville himself, AWB's Government Relations Manager.
Mr McConville is not the only former AWB executive who can't remember the meeting. It drew a blank with the wheat exporter's former chairman Trevor Flugge.
Andrew McConville has also failed to remember a phone call he had with another diplomat who asked Mr McConville about the claims made by Canada. Mr McConville apparently said, "This is bullshit", and went on to emphatically deny the allegations.
Under questioning from counsel assisting, Andrew McConville said while he couldn't remember saying such words, it would have been a true statement. He told the commission it was a competitive market and overseas competitors like Canada were keen to "Cut the lunch" of AWB.
Andrew McConville no longer works for the wheat exporter. He's now in public relations. But the Commission would still like to see his notebooks from his days at AWB. They may document what Mr McConville can't remember. But neither Mr McConville nor the wheat exporter have been able to find the notebooks, much to the annoyance of counsel assisting the inquiry.
John Agius, SC, says AWB must produce all relevant documents. If not, they'll be taken by force. He's threatened to apply for a search warrant to search the offices of AWB and retrieve any relevant material.
It's been three and half months since Commissioner Terence Cole, QC, began his investigation into possible bribes to Iraq. He's unlikely to report as planned by the end of the month. He's suggested today that an extension is being actively discussed.
MARK COLVIN: Brendan Trembath. |